Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX 11-16 F2.8  reviews

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Basil   review date: September-07-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Tamron 16-50 2.8

price paid:

$630 USD

positive:

Fast, sharp and fun to use
Solid build
Distortion nicely controlled

negative:

Somewhat prone to flare...need to watch the sun when framing shot

comment:

I had a chance to put this lens through its paces on a recent trip to Washington DC. It was an excellent compliment to the Tamron 16-50 2.8. They made a great walk-around pair for seeing the sights (both indoors and out).

This lens made shooting inside the Air and Space museums a breeze. Having a fast speed really helps when shooting handheld indoors. The range allowed me to easily fit planes into the frame from only a few feet away, which really helps in crowded spaces. It also made for some interesting perspectives on the monuments and memorials throughout town.

Shooting outdoors in bright sunlight was more of a challenge than with the Tamron. The petal hood helps control flare, but it was still fairly easy to induce if the sun was in the frame. This isn't unusual for a lens of this type. You just need to be careful when setting up your shots. The same holds true with distortion. This lens controls it nicely, but distortion is still a byproduct of an ultrawide. You need to watch the edges of the frame and realize the effect it will have on your shot.

Overall, I am very pleased with this lens. It feels solid in my hand and balances nicely on my A700. While not the cheapest ultrawide available, the combination of speed, sharpness and distortion control make it a relative bargain. Like any ultrawide zoom, it's a specialty lens that has its distinct uses. But if you are considering adding an ultrawide to your bag, this isn't a bad choice at all.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: tobyjay   review date: July-10-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

10-20 slow one
10-20 less slow one
12-24
16-35

price paid:

500 UK

positive:

Nice size and shape
Manual focus can be locked easily
Sharp for a wide
Neutral colour
Natural contrast levels
Excellent distortion control
Fair price
f/2.8 !!!!!!!

negative:

Could be even sharper.
Hood not secure enough.

comment:

It's a better lens than the SIgma 10-20 (either version) in every way. Definitely better colours and sharpness at wide apertures.
Flares control is great.
AWB on A700 is flawless.
The focus ring can be 'locked out' to manual leaving the ring disconnected and free spinning - means for paparazzi work you do not need to tape up the lens.
At f/2.8 it is surprisingly sharp, and doesn't vignette much at all.

Build is pretty much flawless, a good compromise between tough and lightweight. Unfortunately I lost the hood on day one, like many lenses the fit is not secure enough.

Ultra-Wide Angle bottom line: If you have a full frame camera then use the 12-24 Sigma. If you have a crop sensor camera then this Tokina is the hot ticket. 16-35 is better built than either and better wide open but just not in the same wideangle class.

sharpness: 4 

color: 4 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: shamb   review date: June-28-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

price paid:

550 GBP (new)

positive:

Constant f2.8 makes it faster than its competitors.
Any aberations are linear, so easy to fix in LR/PS (this is NOT the case with sigma and sony wides!)

negative:

APS-C only.
Needs a 77mm low profile filter, making the expensive Hoyas your only bet.
Zoom ring is loose, so you have to constantly make sure it hasn't moved.

comment:

Bottom line: Everyone needs a superwide angle lens, you just don't know it until you look down one and see the creative possibilities!

Dont let the low 11-16 range put you off; you will rarely move it beyond 11mm.

V fast autofocus and generally perfect operation (tested with Sony a200).

Easy to capture flare, so you need the hood on or a polariser.

Sample image (11mm, cropped):
http://howgreenisyourgarden.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/dsc02863.jpg

Ive written a full review (complete with 'box opening' images) at
http://howgreenisyourgarden.wordpress.com/2010/06/20/review-tokina-11-16mm-sony-alpha-fit/

sharpness: 5 

color: 5 

build: 4 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 4 

user: Blackriver   review date: May-28-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sigma 12-24mm.
Sony 18-250mm

price paid:

599

positive:

Build, sharp, f/2.8, color, accurate AF.

negative:

DT lens. 11-16mm zoom so limited may as well have been an 11mm prime.

comment:

Ratings take into account the type of lens it is. Obviously it's not as sharp as a 50mm prime for example but I rated it a "5" because I cannot reasonably expect it to be any sharper based on other lenses in it's class. I would have given 4.5 for build.

My only negatives for this lens are things that cannot be helped. Such as the large hood makes it difficult to pack, and the large 77m filter size makes buying filters extra pricey. Has a slight tendency toward over exposure in very bright situations when shooting in larger apertures.(probably to be expected).

Aside from that I have no problem saying this is currently the best ultra wide option for APS-C Sony mount's at any price.

Sturdy build with nice balance. Both the focus and zoom rings are smooth with nice resistance allowing for precise manual operation if needed. No gravelly felling at all to the focus ring. Also, neither ring is a lint magnet like most Sony's.

The sharpness is outstanding for such a wide lens. Colors are very true and rich (with Sony A330). Sky's are particularly smooth with very rich colors (a great quality for a lens suited for landscapes).

The f/2.8 seems very usable with regard to distortion and sharpness. I'm sure the f/2.8 which is rare for ultra wide lenses will be a huge help for future indoor shooting. I can see some nice opportunities with this lens next time I shoot a church wedding for example.

I like the AF/MF clutch. I like the fact that it does not circumvent the camera's setting. All my other lenses the setting on the lens takes precedence over the setting on the camera. The Tokina is the opposite which I prefer. Reason being every lens has the AF/MF switch in a slightly different position. It's always in the same spot on the camera so I figure this one should be the primary.

I've read that in the past Tokina lenses did not attach easily. In fact I read several accounts from Canon and Nikon users that sited difficulty attaching the lens as the only down side. I'm happy to report that there are no such issues with the A-mount. Attaches easily and sits very snugly with very minimal play.

Both chromatic aberration and barrel distortion are well within expected and acceptable levels.

The felt on the inside of the included petal hood is (as usual) a total lint magnet. Matting tape works perfectly to remove the lint without leaving a residue.

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 4 

flare control: 5 

user: Tomodo   review date: May-27-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6

price paid:

500 GBP

positive:

Great build
Unique speed+range combination
Sharp from f2.8

negative:

Limited zoom range

comment:

This seemed like the ideal choice to replace my Sigma 10-20mm, which I found was too limiting when doing my low light, live music work.

While the range is not as useful as the Sigma, the constant f2.8 and overall great image and build quality make it worth it.

The range is limited but it still gives an approx. 16-24mm view in full frame terms. (note this isn't a full-frame lens)

sharpness: 4.5 

color: 5 

build: 5 

distortion: 5 

flare control: 5 

user: terrylloydsmith   review date: May-27-10  

    tested on film camera:

    tested on APS-C:6MP; 10MP; 12MP; 14MP:

    tested on full frame:25MP

compared to:

Minolta/Sony/Tamron 11-18/4.5-5.6

price paid:

$600 US

positive:

Pro Build
Sharp and Fast

negative:

Limited zoom range

comment:

This is a sharp, well built lens. Much better than the Minolta/Sony/Tamron 11-18mm/4.5-5.6. The pictures are well exposed, very sharp (even wide open @ f2.8) and contrasty. I'm glad I bought it.